Can’t Stop Watching: ‘Scandal’—Mama Pope Lives, What’s Hot/Not & More

I called it! I said Olivia Pope’s mother, Maya Lewis, was most likely still alive and in the final seconds of last night’s episode we found she was still breathing—in a maximum security prison. So much for the sophisticated lady that “Scandal” fans wanted Liv’s mother to be. The revelation that Mama Pope is alive and not just limited to flashback scenes is nothing new, it is, after all, “Scandal.” The shocker was that she’s in lockup. And her hubby, Eli/Rowan Pope, knows. How did she end up there? Did she ever board the plane that went down? We learned that Fitz shot down said plane she was supposedly aboard to avert a terrorist attack. Knowing that her Daddy Pope is the head of B-613, I wonder was she also involved with covert affairs? Was she the terrorist aboard the plane? I think Mr. & Mrs. Pope were more like “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Maybe. Whatever the case, Liv thinks her mom is dead and despite Fitz’s pleas to back off, she tells the Gladiators that her “deceased” mother is their new client. Knowing the danger involved, they start digging. Last week, I discussed Quinn’s immaturity and last night’s episode proved my point. B-613er Charlie used Quinn, tricking her into killing the witness that could’ve helped Liv learn more about the plane crash. “You belong to B-613 now,” Charlie told a worried, doe-eyed Quinn. And there it is.

In other couple news, we got a chance to learn more about the history of first couple Mellie and Fitz’s relationship. The story starts out lovely and gets sad kind of quickly. Fifteen years ago, Mellie was innocent and pleasant, and Fitz, still a bit weak under his father, was a doting husband totally in love with her. I’m sure if they were still in that space when they met Liv, Olitz would’ve never happened. And Fitz’s father, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant IV aka Daddy Grant, was a mess, as if we didn’t already know. That wretched creature raped Mellie just— in my opinion—to take something that belonged to his son. Despicable. Mellie kept the incident to herself, opting to focus on supporting her husband (yeah, OK). I will watch the episode again because I feel there’s more to Mellie’s story. The woman isn’t a mess just for the sake of being one. The Grant’s rewind also showed how they met Cyrus, who was married to a woman at the time. And while we’re on Cyrus and his relationships, it looks like Vice President Sally Langston’s hubby likes the ladies and the fellas. Cyrus and Mellie, looking for dirt, spied Sally’s man Daniel getting very chummy with Cyrus’ hubby, James. Sally may have to put those presidential aspirations on hold yet again. “Scandal” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. EST on ABC. Catch up on past episodes here.

On my watchlist? What I’m tuning in to see and what I’ll catch up with XFINITY On Demand this weekend…“Boardwalk Empire”: What will happen to Chalky this week? It airs at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. [Watch here]“The Walking Dead’: We saw that the Governor’s back. Oh, my! It airs at 9 p.m. EST on AMC. [Watch here]“Oprah’s Next Chapter”:Rev. Al Sharpton’s the guest and I wonder what else he’ll talk about besides getting healthy (the promos focused on that). It airs at 9 p.m. EST on OWN. [Watch here]

The Hot List: Who/What’s Hot, NotHOT: The ‘Judge Mathis’ Grocery Giveaway’ (‘Tis the season!). NOT: Racist and homophobic posts left on the official Facebook pages of two University of Georgia organizations (Some people are bored and insane.).

HOT: The Grio and Ebony magazine teaming up to give Rachel Jeantel, Trayvon Martin friend and witness in George Zimmerman’s trial, a make over (She looks very nice.).NOT: Youth football coach Leon Watson accused of raping boys (DISGUSTING!).

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.